For sound, the PS501X has a 2 watt internal speaker. While that might seem weak for a big room, for a short-throw projector it works just fine — more than loud enough for a smaller space.
The PS501X is also versatile enough to integrate into almost any existing setting, with inputs for both an advanced HDMI 1.4 cable and an older composite RCA video line. It can also be fed by a VGA cable, a 3.5-millimeter audio jack or a Mini USB port.
Small classrooms can have a big impact despite their size when equipped with a ViewSonic PS501X short-throw DLP projector, which can give a tiny space some of the educational advantages of a large lecture halls.
READ MORE: Learn about other technologies that empower hybrid learning.
Project Clear Images from a Flexible Distance
Designed for small or even tiny spaces, the ViewSonic PS501X Digital Light Processing projector can create a 30-inch image from just 2.4 feet away from a screen or surface. That’s impressive, but even the smallest of classrooms likely has more space to work with than that. Given that the unit can generate 3,500 lumens of raw light power, just creating a moderately sized image a couple of feet away seems like overkill.
Backing up to 4.75 feet, about halfway between the minimum and maximum supported distances, lets you create a 150-inch screen that is larger than almost every television on the market. This also lowers the number of lumens hitting the screen. At 2.4 feet, you get close to the maximum lumens, but at 4.75 feet, you lose about half that power. Images still look great, but they will appear slightly washed out at the edges of the screen in a classroom with standard overhead lights.
Moving to the maximum distance of 7.3 feet will let you create a massive, 300-inch display, which is probably more than most tiny spaces can handle. Lumens also drop off considerably at that distance. The images still looked good, and colors were accurate, but you would need to dim the lights to get a really good experience with a screen that size.
One thing to consider: Instead of investing in a larger screen area, PS501X users could instead buy time, in the form of lamp life. By default, the projector operates at full power and has an estimated bulb life of 5,000 hours, or about six months of continuous operation. But again, if the PS501X is less than 3 feet away, its 3,500 lumens are overkill. Instead, users can activate eco mode. The difference in the brightness of the screen at that distance will be almost unnoticeable to most people, yet this extends the projector’s estimated bulb life to 15,000 hours, or almost a year and a half of continuous operation. If you actually power it down when not in use, the PS501X will likely last a very long time.
With such great starting points in projected screen size, raw lumens, power usage and lamp life, users have a lot of choice when setting up their ViewSonic PS501X short-throw DLP projector in a tiny classroom. Teachers and schools can choose screen size or longevity, or find a good balance in between.
SPECIFICATIONS
NATIVE RESOLUTION: 1920x1080 pixels
XGA) MAX IMAGE SIZE: 300-inch
LAMP LIFE CYCLE: 5,000 hours
AUDIO OUTPUT: 2 watt internal speaker
DIMENSIONS: 11.5x9.3x4.5 inches
WEIGHT: 5.7 pounds
